An airport not only serves a community as a place for airplanes to be stored, refuel, take off and land.

Russellville Regional Airport, owned by the city, has been cleared for take off to become a first-class facility in the near future.

Last week, we reported Mayor Tyrone Williamson signed the paperwork for approval of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant, to the tune of $1 million, to relocate and renovate the airport's taxiway. This will not only enhance the current airport, but will fix some much-needed problem areas and prepare the facility for future growth.

The Russellville Airport Commission, local aviation enthusiasts and airport patrons are to be commended for their efforts that resulted in the FAA moving the taxiway project up a year. That's a year sooner the construction can be completed, and sooner the new taxiway can benefit the airport and local aviation in general.

However, that's not the only reason to be excited about the present and future of Russellville's, or your, Regional Airport.

We remember a little more than a year ago, rising fuel costs, maintenance and operation costs forced the airport to remain on the tarmac. It wasn't similar to the hours passengers were recently stranded in Jet Blue airliners, but our airport was in the hole approximately $80,000.

And not because of mismanagement or anything like that. It's simply because grant funding, and the local matching funds from state or federal grants, must be paid up front and projects must be completed before state and federal funding is returned locally. In other words, you've got to pay up front, finish the projects, then you'll get that coveted check in the mail.

The Russellville City Council and civic leaders answered the call and responded with loans that will be reimbursed to the city. For example, the local cost of the $1 million taxiway project is approximately $60,000, which will be paid in full by the FAA once the project is completed.

In addition to the taxiway project, local airport patrons and enthusiasts are enjoying the recent news of a helicopter ambulance service, EagleMed, establishing a headquarters at the airport. Again, we thank State Sen. Sharon Trusty of Russellville, who helped the airport gain another grant for a new airport terminal to update the current facility.

Throw in some of latest small improvements - including Internet in the terminal's lobby, mobile communications for airport staff and the birth of an annual kids aviation camp - and before you know it, our airport will not only be a top-notch facility, but a strong beacon from below the clouds to draw future industry and new neighbors to the Arkansas River Valley community.

We can see why the sky's the limit for the Russellville Regional Airport.